All eyes turn to Nathan now

The Twins might have traded the best pitcher in the game, but some think their closer is more valuable.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: January 29, 2008 - 10:53 PM

By agreeing to trade Johan Santana to the Mets for four prospects Tuesday, the Twins signaled an obvious rebuilding phase.

But pitching coach Rick Anderson said he's not writing off the 2008 season, and neither are several players.

Anderson, in fact, said he and Manager Ron Gardenhire have spoken to General Manager Bill Smith about the importance of keeping closer Joe Nathan.

Like Santana, Nathan will be eligible for free agency this fall, which makes him the next potential trade candidate, especially if the Twins find him unreceptive to their long-term contract offers.

Logic says a team that doesn't expect to contend doesn't need a first-rate closer, especially when it can trade said closer for players who can help once the team is ready to contend again.

In this case, Anderson disagrees.

"Everyone talks about how Johan's value to the team is awesome," he said. "Shoot, Joe Nathan's value is even greater. He's out there every day, 70-80 games a year, finishing games.

"If we are rebuilding somewhat, with the rotation, that's more demoralizing than anything -- when a starter gives you eight great innings, and you've got no one who can close it, and you lose the game.

"Winning and developing go hand in hand."

Without Santana, the Twins' top rotation candidates are Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn and Brian Duensing.

"We know we're going to be young," Baker said. "And we're going to go through some growing pains. Everybody does. But I think we'll be fine."

Added Anderson: "We have a great bullpen. We're going to have a young rotation, but if you keep your closer, you're still going to win games. We upgraded our offense, which we needed to do, and if Liriano comes back strong [from elbow surgery], you just never know."

If Santana accepts a long-term deal with the Mets and approves the trade, the Twins would get center fielder Carlos Gomez, along with pitching prospects Deolis Guerra, Phil Humber and Kevin Mulvey.

Of that group, only Gomez figures to help the Twins immediately, and he remains largely unproven as a hitter.

"I've seen Carlos Gomez play," Twins catcher Joe Mauer told KSTP AM-1500. "He looks like he's pretty raw, but he could be something special. ... I'm excited to meet him and see how he progresses as a player. It's pretty scary when you talk about a guy that is faster than [Mets shortstop] Jose Reyes. I can see him running around in center field and tracking some fly balls down."

Sounds a bit like former Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, who signed with the Angels in November. Free agency also took Carlos Silva, who signed with the Mariners.

Without Hunter, Silva and Santana, the Twins will be thin on experience.

"I wouldn't consider it rebuilding at all," said right fielder Michael Cuddyer. "It's hard to really call it rebuilding when you've got a former MVP [Justin Morneau], a former batting champion [Mauer], and you've got the best bullpen in the game, with the best closer in the game, as far as I'm concerned."

In an e-mail, Morneau added, "I still believe we are young and talented and can make the playoffs."

The Twins' biggest offseason acquisition to date is Delmon Young, who came in a trade that sent Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett to Tampa Bay.

Young, who spoke excitedly about his new team all weekend at TwinsFest, wasn't deterred by Tuesday's news.

"This is better than getting two draft picks [if Santana had left via free agency, like Hunter]," Young said. "He might help the Mets get to the World Series, but it's probably a great trade for both sides."